Could a Steve Urkel-like character work nowadays - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 04-28-2015, 01:11 PM

The character Steve Urkel from Family Matters was (to my knowledge) the hugest breakout character for the nerd character trope in television (Urkel even had his own doll & cereal named after him). And after his success a few shows here & there afterwards in the '90s tried to replicate that, Boy Meets World being one of them with Minkus. There was also Roger from Sister, Sister and Screech from Saved by the Bell among borderline, creepy/stalkerish "nerd" characters on '90s era youth sitcoms.

My question is does that type of character really work nowadays though? It may have been a revolutionary (for lack of a better word) thing to see in sitcoms in the '90s, but by this point in time we've already seen the Urkel type of character done a million times in sitcoms. Are characters like Urkel still considered "endearing" amongst contemporary audiences in the mid 2010s?

tlc38tlc38 · 04-29-2015, 05:53 PM

I honestly think people nowadays aren't impressed by anything. Nothing impresses and nothing shocks or amuses. Basically, I think as a society we're numb to any and every little thing. Just my opinion.

But I love Urkel!

Torgo · 04-29-2015, 07:27 PM

I didn't think it worked in the 90's. One of the most obnoxious characters I've ever seen.

Crusinforabrusin · 08-26-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

I didn't think it worked in the 90's. One of the most obnoxious characters I've ever seen.

Well Obviously, it did work because if it did not work, Family Matters would not have been around for as long as it was.

Torgo · 08-26-2016, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusinforabrusin

Well Obviously, it did work because if it did not work, Family Matters would not have been around for as long as it was.

Well obviously that was my opinion. And a lot of crap shows lasted for several seasons.

JO Sweet Heart · 09-04-2016, 09:02 PM

It might work if it were to be done the right way. Its being done the right way through the ABC show named The Last Man Standing. I love Kyle!

God bless you always!!!

Holly

04-28-2015, 01:11 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,925	Could a Steve Urkel-like character work nowadays The character Steve Urkel from Family Matters was (to my knowledge) the hugest breakout character for the nerd character trope in television (Urkel even had his own doll & cereal named after him). And after his success a few shows here & there afterwards in the '90s tried to replicate that, Boy Meets World being one of them with Minkus. There was also Roger from Sister, Sister and Screech from Saved by the Bell among borderline, creepy/stalkerish "nerd" characters on '90s era youth sitcoms. My question is does that type of character really work nowadays though? It may have been a revolutionary (for lack of a better word) thing to see in sitcoms in the '90s, but by this point in time we've already seen the Urkel type of character done a million times in sitcoms. Are characters like Urkel still considered "endearing" amongst contemporary audiences in the mid 2010s?

04-29-2015, 05:53 PM	#2
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,269	I honestly think people nowadays aren't impressed by anything. Nothing impresses and nothing shocks or amuses. Basically, I think as a society we're numb to any and every little thing. Just my opinion. But I love Urkel!
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04-29-2015, 07:27 PM	#3
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,038	I didn't think it worked in the 90's. One of the most obnoxious characters I've ever seen.
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09-04-2016, 09:02 PM	#6
JO Sweet Heart Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 11, 2012 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 7,887	It might work if it were to be done the right way. Its being done the right way through the ABC show named The Last Man Standing. I love Kyle! God bless you always!!! Holly
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